A humanitarian crisis is rapidly expanding in northern Cambodia. Families are fleeing intensified clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
They are arriving in surging numbers at a new displacement camp at Chong Kal, in Oddar Meanchey province.
The government established the site as part of an emergency response strategy. Chong Kal serves as a secondary refuge. It absorbs civilians initially evacuated to centers near the front lines but now moved further inland for safety.
Reports indicate that Chong Kal is just one of more than 100 evacuation sites created in recent weeks. Another major camp in the area already hosts several thousand people, and numbers climb daily.
Strained Resources
Conditions on the ground at Chong Kal are tight. Essential resources are stretched thin, with significant shortages in:
- Food supplies
- Clean water
- Basic shelter
Response teams are working hard to upgrade critical infrastructure. They are focusing on latrines, waste management systems, and health services.
However, the relentless pace of displacement creates a major challenge. Aid workers are finding it difficult to keep up with the growing needs of the population.
Fear of Return
The future remains uncertain for these displaced families. Many residents at the camp express a deep fear of returning to their villages.
Shelling continues in the region, and the ceasefire feels fragile. Consequently, most families prefer the crowded safety of the camps over the high risk of going home.
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